New York Stock Exchange, Broadway Closed in Preparation for 'Frankenstorm' Hurricane Sandy

-by Trista McKenzie, Contributing Writer; Image: Sandy works her way up the East Coast. (Image Source: NOAA)

Hurricane Sandy’s arrival has forced the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and all Broadway performances to close, due greatly to the MTA’s system-wide shutdown, which begins at 7 p.m. this evening.

NYSE trading floors will be closed on Monday, though online trading will continue. If power goes out, the NYSE has backup generators that will allow for electronic trading to continue, according to NJ.com.

Meanwhile, the Broadway League has announced that all shows this evening as well as Monday evening are cancelled. They also provide refund and exchange information.

“The safety and security of theatregoers and employees is everyone’s primary concern,” explained Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League. “As a result of the suspension of public transportation by government authorities in preparation for Hurricane Sandy, evening performances will be cancelled tonight, Sunday, October 28th, and Monday evening, October 29th.”

Sleep No More at the McKittrick Hotel is also cancelled for Sunday and Monday.

While the New York Downtown Hospital is evacuating patients due to infrastructure concerns, other hospitals are not being evacuated if they have backup generators and are prepared for such an emergency, according to DNAinfo.

Hospitals citywide have also cancelled all elective surgeries and procedures.